UN chief ‘deeply distressed’ by Israel’s complete siege of Gaza

SHAH ALAM - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his distress over Israel's imposition of a total siege on the Gaza Strip.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities, now it will only deteriorate exponentially." he said.

Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel would impose a "complete siege" on the long blockaded enclave saying that there would be no electricity, no food, no water and no gas.

In a speech, Guterres expressed that international laws must be followed throughout any military operations and Israel's current actions were against these laws.

“I would like to remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian laws.

“Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, civilian infrastructure must never be a target.

“We already have reports of Israeli missiles striking health facilities inside Gaza as well as multi-storied residential towers and a mosque.

“I am deeply distressed by today’s announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege on the Gaza Strip with nothing allowed in. No electricity, food or fuel,” he said.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been in a dire situation prior to the conflict with homes being destroyed on a daily basis, lands being stolen and borders set causing many to be trapped, with some human rights organisations calling it ‘the world’s largest open-air prison’.

Guterres added that the recent conflict was a result of the long-standing conflict and a 56-year-long occupation.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities, now it will only deteriorate exponentially.

“The most recent violence does not come in a vacuum. The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict with a 56-year long occupation and no political end in sight.

“It’s time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarisation.

“Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialised and Palestinians umst see a clear perspective for the establishment for their own state realised,” he said.

The UN will continue efforts to provide aid to respond to needs in Gaza, Guterres said.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, or OCHA, said damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Gaza has hindered services for more than 400,000 people — or about one-sixth of the total population.

Israel controls most water resources in the Palestinian territories, in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions.

Experts say the bombing and destruction of Gaza’s already weak water infrastructure will only make matters worse in an area where gastrointestinal, liver and skin problems exist already due to a severe lack of clean water.